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Lots Of Healing Vibes For Emma Please - Malign Cancer Diagnosis

Oh Clair - I have been watching this thread and was hoping for better news for you and your lovely girl.

I know in humans a biopsy will usually allow a tumor to be 'graded' which gives an indication of how aggressive it is, but I am not sure if they do this for animals to be honest, but it is worth asking the vet.

Good luck at your appointment, and remember that Emma doesn't know she is ill, and as long as she seems happy within herself then it is ok to let her enjoy life and try to cherish this special time together.
 
Yes it should do if they got enough of a good sample of cells I think but this was a while ago so i am fishing through my memory. We did a biopsy of whole lump so had enough material but I think needle biopsy not always so clear cut? Someone like Barbara will be able to confirm my memory @pig in the city
 
Thank you everyone.

I will update tomorrow once I have spoken with Lindsay. I should hopefully know more about what's best for Emma then xx
 
Bit late but I've only just seen this thread.
Sorry to hear Emma's lump results weren't favourable :(
I've no advice but I hope the vet visit goes well tomorrow,fingers &paws all crossed for a possible solution.

Whatever happens she knows you love her &you'll do whatever you can for her.

Thinking of you &big gentle chinny rub for Emma. Luv the girls &I xx x
 
Awww so sorry the news wasn't good we had the same thing a few weeks ago It's horrible to have to deal with but see what your options are. Sending you hugs xx
 
I am so sorry to hear about this Claire.
I think it all depends on how aggressive the tumour is, which they may be able to tell from the cells in the needle biopsy, and how tricky it would be to remove it safely.
I have had a few pigs with inoperable cancer , they all stayed relatively well, just lost weight, and faded away peacefully. It sometimes takes months, so if the vet can't operate she may still be with you for a while yet. Hopefully the vet can help. Keeping fingers crossed for you xx
 
Thank you everyone.

After many tears and a long and honest 30 minute chat with my vet and my mum who I trust very much, I have made the sad decision to provide Emma with palliative care and let her enjoy whatever time she has left with her friends.

So far Emma is showing no signs of being poorly and I need to think of her quality of life over quantity.

Lindsay did offer to operate but feels that it wouldn't be in Emma's best interests in the long run especially considering her age and the overall prognosis.

The next few weeks are going to be very tough but I will try my best to keep it together for Emma. She licked away my tears this morning :(

Ellen knows that something isn't right as she keeps licking Emma's tumour and her IC is playing up :(

I'm having all the usual thoughts of what if and whether I have made the right decision or not.

How can such small animals have such a hugh impact on our lives xx
 
You most definitely made the right decision. You're her mum so you know best! :nod:

She sounds like she's still healthy and happy so could have months to live yet. And if she ever becomes ill you won't let her suffer.

Hug her and love her and spoil her rotten xx
 
I am so sorry :( I lost my Aby pig in February, she was diagnosed with heart failure last October due to a cancerous mass growing in her chest :( All we could do was put her on heart meds & give her palliative care, she was eating & active right up to the day she passed away, at home, naturally, it was quick & painless. Make sure you get the proper pain relief from your vet to make whatever time she has left comfortable & treasure every moment you have with her. Big ((hugs)) xx
 
I had a piggy that was diagnosed with a cancerous mammary tumour. We didn't operate, made her comfortable and she lived for a further 10 months.
 
Sounds like you had a really thorough discussion with your vet and you can only be guided by that and your instincts - and your mum of course! As others have said, piggies can still have a good phase of life even though classed as palliative - they don't know that! My boy on palliative care is loving fresh grass and sticky weed at the moment. Hugs to you.
 
I believe you have made the right decision, for all the reasons you have stated. We can only act on the expert advise given us, your vet sounds like she knows what she is talking about. Sending you hugs.
 
I think you've made the right desicion we did the same as you as our fudge was 6yrs old. It's never easy and but just spoil her while you can xx
 
I wish you and your piggy the best. No doubt Emma's fellow piggy, Gizmo, is too. May she be blessed with lots of yummy hay and a harmless lump in the near future. :luv:
 
What a difficult time for you Claire. I know that you will do your very best for your beautiful girl. Thinking of you xx
 
Thank you everyone.

I'm full of tears again today. One minute I'm
Ok with it and the next I'm not :(

I have metacam for Emma which she takes daily already but I will increase as and when needed. I'm just worried I won't know when she's struggling with pain :(

@BossHogg that gives me some hope. Where was your piggie tumour located?

@brillmini it's a hard decision to make but one that is needed

@Poppy'sMum thats so sad although comforting too. I hope that Emma can go peacefully

x
 
It is hard but you'll be ok x you may have her for a while yet so try not to get too upset. We knew with fudge as she went off all her food and kept turning her back when we tried to tempt her with food. Xx
 
Claire W said:
:(

@BossHogg that gives me some hope. Where was your piggie tumour located?

x
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Her tumour was behind her rear left nipple making it a little awkward to walk round. We adjusted her surroundings to make life more comfortable and gave her plenty of pain relief ;)
 
BossHogg said:
Her tumour was behind her rear left nipple making it a little awkward to walk round. We adjusted her surroundings to make life more comfortable and gave her plenty of pain relief ;)
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Thank you. Emma's is in her right armpit. I will make sure to give her pain relief x
 
Usually it's a small weight loss, not eating as much etc. I could tell when my bladder pig was uncomfortable because of the position of her ears, they were lower when she needed more pain relief. You are a brilliant piggy mum & very tuned in to your piggies, I can tell, so I am sure you will know. I really understand how much it hurts being in your position, I am sorry xx
 
Poppy'sMum said:
Usually it's a small weight loss, not eating as much etc. I could tell when my bladder pig was uncomfortable because of the position of her ears, they were lower when she needed more pain relief. You are a brilliant piggy mum & very tuned in to your piggies, I can tell, so I am sure you will know. I really understand how much it hurts being in your position, I am sorry xx
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Thank you. That's a lovely thing to say.

I have weighed Emma this morning and she hasn't lost anything yet.

I feel so sad when I look at her, she has the most beautiful brown eyes xx
 
Claire W said:
Emma spent all of yesterday afternoon outside in the run with her friends.

I'm hoping to have them out again this afternoon.

Emma loves the sunshine xx
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I am doing the same for Benny its lovely and warm which he loves xx
 
Emma has had a lovely few days and is still going strong.

I am off to Dublin tomorrow for a few days and don't want to leave her :(

But my mum will be looking after the piggies and cats whilst I'm away.

I just hope Emma will be ok xx
 
Claire W said:
Just thought I would update that I'm now back from Dublin and Emma is still going strong. My mum has done a wonderful job.

It's hard to believe that Emma is terminally ill :( xx
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That is one of the joy's of nursing a terminal animal - they don't seem to know that they should be sad.
Hard for us as we know where it is headed, but wonderful to live life normally without any fear of what is to come for them.
 
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